World AIDS Day: goal to end HIV transmissions by 2030 'within reach'
The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, says the Government's goal to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 is now within reach thanks to a new action plan
Last updated 1st Dec 2025
There’s new hope in England for ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, as the government unveils a fresh action plan.
The scheme, set out by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, includes £170 million of funding and aims to find and support people living with HIV who’ve dropped out of care, as well as tackling stigma with opt-out testing in A&E departments.
A £5 million trial will also let people order home HIV test kits through the NHS App, offering a discreet way to get checked without visiting a clinic.
The plan will focus on areas with the highest rates, including London and Manchester, and aims to help thousands get life-saving treatment.
This also continues to be the mission across the devolved nations of the UK, with both the Scottish and Welsh Governments pledging their own pledges to stamp out cases of HIV by the end of the decade.
Whilst in Northern Ireland, the message is that prevention is key to stopping the spread of the virus, and the country's only HIV charity - Positive Life NI - say they're also leading the charge, with a mission of making the country the first part of the UK to achieve the World Health Organisation’s target of Zero New HIV Diagnoses by 2030.
It all comes on World AIDS Day - which is held every year on December 1st.
With the iconic red ribbon, the moment marks an important time to remember everyone we have lost to HIV, and reminds us all that people in all four corners of the globe still live with the disease.
'We have a Government that is phenomenally supportive'
People from across the UK have been catching up with Hits Radio Pride, as the globe marks World AIDS Day.
Earlier this year, we heard from the National AIDS Trust, who called the support from the Government as 'phenomenal' as we aim to reduce the number of HIV transmissions down to zero by the end of the decade.
Robbie Currie, the Trust's CEO since 2024, told us: "Even though we do have this target in place, to eliminate HIV, as you can imagine, we've done some incredible work already to get us there - but as you can imagine, there's so much more that needs to be done.
"There's five years to go to achieve that target, and whilst some groups across the LGBT spectrum are able to access the care they need, there are others that really struggle with that, and that's the challenge that's ahead of us.
"But from an HIV perspective, the world is beyond recognition, and certainly even in the last decade, there have been huge developments that help people live their lives to their fullest.
"We have a Government that is phenomenally supportive of the ambitions to get to no new transmissions by 2030, and we are working very clearly about how we can target our interventions to make that happen.
"It's quite a challenge to get that balance right."
This comes amid a backdrop of dwindling awareness of what HIV actually is among some age groups.
Raising awareness
As reported in Northern Ireland, it's emerged almost a fifth of 16 to 34-year-olds in Northern Ireland haven’t heard of HIV.
Local charity Positive Life is aiming to raise awareness.
Their Chief Executive is Jacquie Richardson: "Around one hundred new HIV diagnoses were made in Northern Ireland in 2024.
"So, when hearing about these stats, it's very worrying to see awareness about HIV is actually going down, at a time when accurate information is needed most.
"HIV hasn't gone away.
"It's a long-term condition that can't just be fixed with antibiotics - and it needs to be taken very seriously."
Gordon Tovey, who manages Mary's Bar in Cardiff, recently spoke to Hits Radio Pride about his memories of growing up in the city back in the 1980s.
'We never forget'
He said: "We never forget.
"I was in Cardiff, and I was a youngster back then.
"I lost quite a few friends, both here in Cardiff, and over in London.
"These were friends who I know would have gone on to live incredible lives.
"Unfortunately, we lost them too soon to HIV, and back then, there really was no support around.
"So I know days like this are really important, because it's about educating the next generation.
"There was huge stigma, but there was also a huge outpouring of love, so these annual events are a great way of shining a spotlight on the issues being faced by the queer community."
Gordon recently headed-up the team behind the viral game of Drag Rugby - featuring a squad of drag queens playing the sport all in aid of a local charity - which you can read more about here: Drag Queens kick off their heels for annual rugby match in Cardiff
'Testing is vital'
Positive Health Lincs work across Lincolnshire providing sexual health outreach and Insti HIV and syphilis testing.
They also work to promote good sexual health through education and training across the county.
Their message is that testing really does save lives.
Charles White, Chairman of the Trustees, said: "People may think, particularly of my generation - and I'm in my late 60s now - that this was something for the 1980s.
"But that's wrong - HIV is still there.
"That's why we support hundreds of people across the county who live with a HIV positive diagnosis.
"HIV is still in the community and it still needs to be addressed.
"The virus really can affect anybody - so raising awareness and getting as many people tested as possible is vital in the fight against it."
Ending HIV transmissions by 2030
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I promised to end HIV transmissions in England by 2030 and we are making this a reality thanks to our action plan, with a groundbreaking new HIV prevention programme, at home tests made available through the NHS app, and delivering opt out testing in emergency departments."
Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: "HIV treatment has been transformed. Today, people living with HIV can enjoy full, healthy lives - and can't pass the virus on to others. That's remarkable progress.
"But we can go further. Ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 is ambitious - and this government is determined to make it happen."
The DHSC said it will target its support towards the around 5,000 people living with HIV who are no longer in care, with reasons including mental health issues, addiction, poverty and fear of judgement.
Hospital staff in trusts where the opt out scheme is in place will also receive anti-stigma training, so patients can access care without fear of being judged for their HIV status.
"Our national re-engagement programme, a truly innovative and agile approach, targets the epidemic where it's growing and leaving no one behind," Mr Streeting said.
"We'll bring people into life-saving care and find infections early, when treatment works best, so everyone can live the full, healthy life they deserve.
"Thanks to the work of determined campaigners across our country, ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 - a history making, world changing goal - is within reach. This government will now put its shoulder to the wheel to deliver this change."
'Crucial' investment
Anne Aslett, chief executive of The Elton John Aids Foundation, said: "The new HIV Action Plan is an important step toward ending new HIV transmissions in England. We welcome the extra funding for opt-out testing in emergency departments, a model the Foundation first piloted in 2018. The latest results speak volumes, over 90% of people newly diagnosed in emergency departments had never been tested for HIV before. Smart, targeted investment like this saves lives.
"With up to 12,000 people living with HIV currently out of care, the £9 million investment in retention is crucial for keeping people healthy and stopping onward transmission.
"But without bold investment in prevention, including making PrEP widely accessible to everyone who needs it, ending new infections will remain out of reach."
Support is available
There are many organisations who offer support and advice to people who live with HIV, or their family and friends.
There's a handy link to all of these on the Find Your Four website.
You can visit the National AIDS Trust, the Terrence Higgins Trust, George House Trust and Positively UK - who all offer help to anyone living with HIV.
There's also factual information via the NHS and via the LGBT Foundation.